The children swam across the lake and then walked between the pine trees into the forest. After they had walked through the forest, they walked down the path that led to the beach. When they reached the beach, they ran towards the water. They dived off the rocks into the rock pool.
Pronouns
Introduction
Third and fourth graders should understand that we use pronouns to take the place of nouns. By using pronouns we can talk about people or things without naming them. This helps to keep our language from becoming disjointed because of too much repetition.
Without pronouns we would have to write the following:
Bill said that Bill could not come because Bill’s father had not bought Bill a new pair of sneakers.
Children can quickly see the need for pronouns when they read this.
There are many types of pronouns. Those appropriate for third and fourth grade students are the following:
(a) Personal pronouns—Here are the personal pronouns that students should be familiar with and be able to use without difficulty.
Nominative Objective
Singular Plural Singular Plural
First person I we me us
Second person you you you you
Third person he, she, it they him, her, it them Remember the following:
• If a pronoun is the subject or part of the subject of a sentence, it is in the nominative case.
Example: She is coming to my house.
• If a pronoun is the object or indirect object in a sentence, it is in the objective case.
Example: I gave her the book.
Pronouns (cont.)
• First person pronouns are used if we are talking about ourselves.
Examples: I am nine years old.
We are learning about sharks.
• Second person pronouns are used if we are talking to someone.
Example: Are you going to be long?
• Third person pronouns are used if we are talking about someone or something else.
Examples: She was late for school.
They arrived by bus.
It was on the table.
(b) Possessive pronouns—Students should also be familiar with the following possessive pronouns.
Singular Plural
First person mine ours
Second person yours yours
Third person his, hers, its theirs
Remember, some words look like pronouns but are really possessive adjectives.
Look at the following sentences.
That book is his. His is a possessive pronoun showing ownership.
His book is on the table. His is a possessive adjective describing book.
For more information about possessive adjectives, see the section on adjectives.
(c) Relative pronouns—These not only take the place of nouns but also help join sentences. The main relative pronouns are the following:
who whom which that
Who and whom are used to refer to people. Who is nominative case and is used when referring to the subject of the verb. Whom is objective case and is used when referring to the object of the verb.
Examples: The girl who wore the blue hat is my sister.
The friend with whom I went to the park lost his wallet.
Which and that are used to refer to animals, places, and things.
Problem pronouns
its/it’s
Its is a pronoun that means belonging to it. It’s is not a pronoun. It is a contraction of it is.
I/me
Sometimes it is difficult to decide when to use I or me in a sentence. If in doubt, divide the sentence into two short sentences.
Mike is going to the circus. I am going to the circus.
So the correct usage is Mike and I are going to the circus.
Jack told Sally to get off the grass. Jack told me to get off the grass.
So the correct usage is Jack told Sally and me to get off the grass.
Teaching Strategies
Replace the noun
Write sentences on the board and have children suggest words that could replace the nouns.
Mike said that Mike would arrive as soon as Mike’s bicycle was fixed.
This bicycle belongs to me. This bicycle is _________ ___.
Hands up
Read a story and have children raise their hands when they hear a pronoun. This can also include nursery rhymes.
Little Miss Muffet, Sat on her tuffet,
Eating her curds and whey.
Choose the pronoun
Have children choose the correct pronoun to complete a sentence.
Tom said, “Give it back to __________.” (me I)
Did you know _______ goes to Chicago each week? (he him)
Pronoun cloze
Write a passage on the chalkboard, leaving spaces for the pronouns. Write the missing pronouns on small pieces of cardboard and have children work in groups to stick them in the correct spaces.
Pronouns (cont.)
Pronouns
Name Grammar BLM 49
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns.